DIY: Do I need a seat reservation or train ticket?

If a train route sits within the Interrail network, an Interrail pass operates as the ticket. You may need an additional seat reservation, depending on the rail operator for the line. If the line you are travelling on is not covered by the Interrail network (for example outside of Europe or on certain luxury rail routes), you will need to buy a standard rail ticket. In addition, there are certain journeys that are more cost-effective to purchase as point-to-point tickets, compared to using an Interrail pass travel day; this is usually the case if the cost of train tickets for a single day is less than £50. 

If you book with Byway, we handle all of the ticket-purchasing complexity behind the scenes, so you can leave the logistics to us and enjoy a seamless journey. But if you're planning your own DIY adventure, our guide will help you determine whether you need a ticket or a seat reservation.

Behzad Ghaffarian

What is covered by an Interrail pass?

Your Interrail pass covers the majority of rail routes in the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, the UK, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.

Your Interrail pass covers the base fare of any rail journey (with a few exceptions including luxury rail routes like the Orient Express). In addition to your pass, many journeys also require seat reservations. 

When do I need a seat reservation?

When travelling on an Interrail pass, trains fall under four categories:

1. Some need a seat reservation in addition to your pass. 

2. Some have optional seat reservations, advisable if you’d like a seat but not essential if you’d like to be flexible.

3. Some do not offer seat reservations at all, (usually local regional services) so you only need your Interrail pass to board. 

4. Sleeper trains require a reservation, whether for a seat or a cabin.

A smaller number also ask for a compulsory supplement: an extra fee just to use a specific line, though securing a specific seat is still optional (for example, the line that runs from Italy into Austria). 

You can check the seat reservation requirements of specific services on the RailPlanner app. You can read more about how to book seat reservations on our blog.

When you book with Byway, we handle all seat reservations and will always book reservations where possible to ensure you have a seat for your journey. 

Interrail passes vs point-to-point train tickets

Point-to-point tickets may be required for certain routes not covered on the pass network. In other cases, a journey might be covered by the pass, but a point-to-point fare might work out cheaper, particularly for short, regional journeys. France and Sicily are both good examples, where local trains are often inexpensive enough that paying for them individually makes more sense than using a pass day.

Part of the challenge of a long trip is working out when to use an Interrail pass day, and when to buy a point-to-point. In many cases, trips can be optimised for budget by using a combination of both: a shorter, cheaper Interrail pass can still cover the longer or pricier legs of your trip, while you fill in the gaps with point-to-point tickets, local buses or regional trains bought separately. 

As a rule of thumb, if a point-to-point ticket is heading towards £50 or more per person, a pass day will usually work out better value. 

For all bookings with Byway, we ensure the most cost-efficient combinations of pass days and point-to-point tickets for you.

Read the DIY slow travel blog series

This guide covers one part of planning a flight-free trip. Here's the rest of the series:

• Six steps to DIY slow travel

• Plot your route

• Book your Interrail pass

• Book your tickets

• Book your accommodation

• Set up your Interrail pass

Or, if you'd rather leave the logistics to the experts, book with Byway and we’ll handle everything for you. Each booking includes all transport, hotels and personal trip guide, all wrapped up with ABTA-protection, free disruption replanning and in-trip support from our experts while you’re away. 

You can watch the video tutorial 'Do I need a seat reservation or a train ticket' here, or sign up below for our full DIY video course delivered straight into your inbox.